Boris Johnson news live - Tory bid to block Labour MP from chairing Partygate probe fails

A bid by Tories to block a Labour MP from charing an investigation into whether or not Boris johnson misled parliament over Partygate has failed.

Harriet Harman has been confirmed as the lead on a Commmons probe into Covid lawbreaking parties in Downing Street during lockdown.

The prime minister will not face the committee until the autumn, it was revealed as the inquiry was formally launched on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier, Dominic Raab ruled out enshrining women’s right to abortion in law, as he stood in for Boris Johnson at prime minister’s questions.

Mr Raab, the deputy PM and justice minister, said the legality of abortion in the UK was settled, when he was asked to support an amendment on the issue to his proposed Bill of Rights.

He was filling in for the prime minister, who is at the Nato summit in Madrid.

Key points

• Tory bid to block Harriet Harman as chair of Partygate probe fails

• UK abortion law is settled and will not change, says Raab

• Raise military spend as ‘world has 1930s feel’, says senior Tory

• ‘If Putin were a woman he would not have started the Ukraine war’

• Johnson reveals Falklands row with Argentinian president

• ‘Shocking’ gap in home insulation action amid soaring energy bills, claim climate advisers

• Grant Shapps hit out rail unions as he unveils £1bn investment plans

04:23 , Namita Singh

Welcome to the UK politics blog for Wednesday, 29 June 2022.

‘If Putin were a woman he would not have started the Ukraine war’

04:54 , Namita Singh

Boris Johnson has said Russian president Vladimir Putin would not have started the “crazy, macho” war in Ukraine if he were a woman.

He made the comments after the G7 summit in Bavaria. Speaking with German broadcaster ZDF, he said: “If Putin was a woman, which he obviously isn’t, but if he were, I really don’t think he would’ve embarked on a crazy, macho war of invasion and violence in the way that he has.

Boris Johnson

He made the comments arguing that “you need more women in positions of power”.

Mr Johnson also said the G7 meeting had been “incredible” as leaders “got closer and closer”.

“The logic is yes of course people all want the war to end, they want the war to end desperately, but there’s no deal available.

“Putin isn’t making an offer of a deal, (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky can’t make an offer of a deal”.

Johnson reveals Falklands row with Argentinian president

05:04 , Namita Singh

Boris Johnson has revealed that he had a “frank” exchange with Argentina’s president Alberto Fernandez about British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands at the G7 conference.

The PM shared his displeasure that the subject was raised when the leaders met at the margins of the summit in Germany shortly after the 40th anniversary of the war over the South Atlantic islands.

Asked if he was disappointed Mr Fernandez had brought up British control, Mr Johnson told reporters: “Yeah”, before saying he had offered a reminder that the matter was settled.

“It had been decided decisively over many, many years, and I saw no reason for us to engage in a substantive discussion about it,” the PM said on his journey from the G7 to the Nato summit in Madrid.

Read the details in this report by Adam Forrest:

Boris Johnson reveals Falklands row with Argentinian president at G7

‘Shocking’ gap in home insulation action amid soaring energy bills, claim climate advisers

05:16 , Namita Singh

There is a “shocking” gap in government efforts to ensure homes are better insulated in the face of soaring energy bills, climate advisers have said.

The Climate Change Committee’s latest report warns that government plans for tackling global warming will not deliver on legal targets to cut emissions in the coming decades.

And the independent advisory committee singled out energy efficiency to make UK homes less leaky and cheaper to heat, along with a lack of action on farming emissions, as particular problem areas.

In its annual report to Parliament on the progress being made to tackle the UK’s contribution to climate change, the committee called for action to address the rising cost of living that is in line with cutting emissions to zero over all - known as net zero - by 2050.

Read the details here:

‘Major failures’ in govt plans to meet net zero climate goals, says advisory body

Grant Shapps hit out rail unions as he unveils £1bn investment plans

05:24 , Namita Singh

Transport secretary Grant Shapps hit out at striking rail unions as he announced a £1bn investment in digital signalling.

He said that giving the go-ahead for the replacement of Victorian signalling infrastructure on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) proves the government is modernising the railways “despite the best efforts of unions”.

But the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) insisted it was a “non-announcement”, as much of the existing system needs replacing anyway.

Mr Shapps is embroiled in a bitter row with the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union.

More in this report:

Grant Shapps slams rail unions as he unveils £1bn east coast digital investment

Government launches review into short-term tourist accommodation

05:35 , Namita Singh

A registered kite mark scheme and safety spot checks could be part of government plans to discover the impact of short-term and holiday lets in England’s tourist hotspots.

Tourism minister Nigel Huddleston said a newly launched review seeks to “reap the benefits of the boom in short-term holiday lets while protecting community interests and making sure England has high-quality tourist accommodation”.

No decisions have yet been made, but the review will help “us work out the options to look at so we can protect our much-loved communities and thriving holiday industry”, he added.

Physical checks of properties could be used to ensure regulations covering areas such as health and safety, noise and anti-social behaviour are obeyed.

Read the details here:

Government launches review into short-term tourist accommodation

Proposed Cumbrian coal mine 'indefensible', climate chief warns

05:45 , Namita Singh

A proposed new coal mine in Cumbria is “absolutely indefensible”, Climate Change Committee chairman Lord Deben has said.

A decision on whether or not to grant planning permission for the new mine near Whitehaven to source coal for steel production is expected by mid-July following a planning inquiry in 2021.

Environmentalists have warned that demand for coking coal for steel is declining, the coal from the Cumbrian mine would largely not be used in the UK steel industry and it would not replace imported Russian coal.

Read this report to find what Lord Deben said:

Proposed Cumbrian coal mine ‘indefensible’, climate chief warns

Surge in children seeking special educational needs support

05:55 , Namita Singh

The number of children in England seeking special educational needs and disability (SEND) support from councils has risen by nearly a quarter in a year, according to the latest data.

The Local Government Association has called for emergency action to ensure this rising demand for support is met.

The LGA has said that government needs to resolve the high needs deficits built up by councils as a result of rising costs which outstrip the SEND budgets available to them.

The number of initial requests for an education, health and care plan, setting out the individual SEND support a child needs, fell to 75,951 in 2020, following four consecutive years of increases, and then jumped by 23% to 93,302 in 2021, according to the latest figures.

Read the details in this report:

Surge in children seeking special educational needs support

Botswana’s ex-president pleads with Johnson to ban hunting trophy imports

06:05 , Namita Singh

A former president of the country that has the world’s biggest elephant population has issued a heartfelt plea to Boris Johnson’s government to finally outlaw imports of body parts from hunted animals, after an outcry when ministers postponed a ban.

Ian Khama, who criminalised trophy-hunting in 2014 during his decade as president of Botswana, warned that every day without a ban on hunting trophy imports took elephants nearer to extinction.

Ian Khama

“So it’s very important that this is addressed sooner rather than later because the rate of decline of wild species means we’re going to see more and more of these animals becoming endangered and going extinct.”

Read the details in this exclusive by Jane Dalton:

Botswana’s ex-president pleads with Boris Johnson to ban hunting trophy imports

MPs urged to block Australia trade deal after ministers break pledge to reveal details

06:15 , Namita Singh

MPs should block the Australia trade deal because the government has broken a promise to allow it to be scrutinised properly, a damning report says.

Ministers are condemned for trying “to rush it through” – despite evidence that farmers will suffer and the climate crisis has been sacrificed – even as Canberra pauses on ratifying the agreement.

MPs are supposed to be given time to consider if any new trade deal protects human health, animal welfare and the environment before the ratification process begins.

But the Commons international trade committee says it was denied full information until 6 June – yet ratification of the Australia deal has already begun and will conclude on 20 July.

Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports:

MPs urged to block Australia trade deal over ‘broken promise’ on scrutiny

Delays to multibillion pound restoration of parliament criticised in report

06:25 , Namita Singh

A unilateral decision by parliamentary authorities to rip up plans for the restoration of the Palace of Westminster could result in billions of pounds in extra costs, decades of delay and “extraordinary” health and safety risks, a spending watchdog’s report has warned.

The report by the Commons public accounts committee said there was “no justification” for the decision by the Commissions which run the Houses of Commons and Lords to abolish a sponsor body set up just three years ago to oversee the massive project and instead seek to do the job themselves.

The shock decision in February derailed the sponsor body’s plans finally to present a business case for the works in 2023, more than 20 years after the renovation of the crumbling Victorian landmark was first discussed, reports our political editor Andrew Woodcock.

Delays to multibillion pound restoration of parliament criticised in report

Healthcare to undergo ‘digital revolution’ under government plan

06:35 , Namita Singh

People across the UK will get better access to their NHS records and receive messages from their GP on their phone as part of government plans to digitise healthcare.

The plan for digital health and social care, published on Wednesday, also sets out how patients will be able to manage hospital appointments, book Covid vaccines and have virtual consultations through the NHS app by March 2023.

A further 500,000 people are to use remote monitoring to keep an eye on their conditions from home, which will free up hospital beds and frontline workers’ time, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.

Read the details in this report:

Healthcare to undergo ‘digital revolution’ under Government plan

Labour accuses Gove of acting like ‘Grant Shapps tribute act’

06:45 , Namita Singh

Labour’s Lisa Nandy will accuse levelling up secretary Michael Gove of behaving like “a Grant Shapps tribute act” as she warns the government is putting its head in the sand over the crisis facing essential public services.

Ms Nandy will on Wednesday warn that there is “a perfect storm looming on the horizon” as local councils struggle to cope with the cost pressures imposed by high inflation.

Her comments come after the Local Government Association warned of cuts to services such as bin collections, pothole repairs and adult care as soaring energy prices and inflation drain £3.6bn from annual budgets over the next few years.

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock reports:

Labour accuses Gove of ignoring ‘perfect storm’ threat to local services

Johnson asks Nato allies to step up spending

06:55 , Namita Singh

Boris Johnson will call on Nato allies to step up their defence spending in the face of the Russia threat, despite a scathing attack from his own defence secretary Ben Wallace on the UK’s “smoke and mirrors” military budget.

The prime minister said he would “leverage” Britain’s military spending to “drive greater commitments from other people” ahead of crucial talks with fellow Nato leaders at a summit in Madrid.

But Mr Wallace said UK forces had for too long survived on “a diet of smoke and mirrors, hollowed-out formations and fantasy savings” – after calling for the PM to commit to a 20 per cent spending increase.

My colleague Adam Forrest has more:

Boris Johnson asks Nato allies to ‘step up’ spending amid row with Ben Wallace

Stella Creasy moves to make abortion a human right in British Bill of Rights

07:05 , Namita Singh

Stella Creasy has said she will table an amendment to the British Bill of Rights to establish women’s access to abortion as a human right.

The Labour MP for Walthamstow told The Independent abortion rights in the UK are “more fragile than people realise” as she warned many Britons are unaware abortion is still criminalised in this country.

Ms Creasy’s announcement comes after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade - the landmark decision that legalised abortion nationwide in 1973.

Our women’s correspondent Maya Oppenheim reports:

Stella Creasy moves to make abortion a human right in British Bill of Rights

Nadine Dorries urges trans athlete ban in women’s elite sport

07:15 , Namita Singh

Culture secretary Nadine Dorries has told British sporting bodies they must follow swimming’s lead and ensure women’s sport is reserved “for people born of the female sex”.

Ms Dorries told representives from football, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics and other sports on Tuesday afternoon that it was “inherently unfair” for woman to compete against someone who was born biologically male.

She urged the sporting bodies to follow to lead of Fina, who announced that athletes who had been through any part of male puberty would be barred from elite female competition.

Nadine Dorries

My colleague Joe Middleton reports:

Nadine Dorries urges trans athlete ban in women’s elite sport

‘Help needed to back quality care for patients’

07:25 , Namita Singh

Continuity of care is becoming increasingly difficult to deliver as intense GP workloads now amount to the “most worrying crisis in decades,” according to a medical leader.

Professor Martin Marshall, the chair of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), believes the bond between a GP and their patient is based on trust, often built over time, and is under threat.

He is set to tell the RCGP annual conference in London that the challenges GPs face in having the time to try to really get to know their patients pose an “existential threat” to patient care and to the future of general practice in the UK.

Read this report for more:

Help needed to back quality care for patients amid GP workloads, leaders say

Government to publish White Paper on gambling reform

07:35 , Namita Singh

The government has said it will publish a White Paper into gambling reform in coming weeks.

The prime minister is set to announce restrictions on the industry as part of the review of the 2005 Gambling Act amid concerns current regulations require changes to accommodate the growth of online betting.

The Times reported proposals to prohibit gambling companies from shirt sponsorship were set to be rejected in favour of reaching a voluntary agreement with Premier League clubs, while also keeping the option of legislation in reserve.

Report:

Government to publish White Paper on gambling reform in coming weeks

UK defence secretary says more funding needed as ‘world less secure’ now

07:53 , Zoe Tidman

The UK’s defence secretary has reiterated his call for increased defence spending to counter the threat from Russia.

Ben Wallace said he had enough funding for the “here and now” but extra investment was needed in the next government spending round from the middle of the decade.

“My settlement was done before Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is very, very dangerous on the world stage. The world is less secure than it was two, three years ago and is not looking likely to change for the rest of the decade,” he told Sky News.

“That is the moment, in the middle of the decade, to say we should commit to increased funding.”

PA

Full story: PM says Putin would not have started Ukraine war if he was a woman

07:54 , Zoe Tidman

Boris Johnson has claimed that Vladimir Putin would not have launched his “crazy, macho” attack on Ukraine if he were a woman, Adam Forrest reports:

The prime minister said the Russian president was a “perfect example of toxic masculinity” as he joined Nato leaders in Madrid to discuss a radical overhaul of the western defence alliance.

Putin wouldn’t have launched ‘macho’ war if he were a woman, says Boris Johnson

Putin suffering from ‘small man syndrome’, Wallace suggests

08:56 , Matt Mathers

Russian president Vladimir Putin is suffering from small man syndrome, Ben Wallace has suggested.

The defence secretary spoke to LBC earlier from the Nato summit in Madrid.

Responding to comments by Boris Johnson in which he said Putin would not have launched his war in Ukraine if he were a woman, Wallace said: “Putin’s view of the world is a small man, macho view of the world”.

He adds: “you rarely hear the phrase ‘small woman syndrome’”.

More comments from Mr Wallace below:

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, agreed with Wallace’s sentiments, telling Good Morning Britain: “I think it is important we don’t generalise.

“Women make mistakes as well as men make mistakes…. But I do think women tend to bring more common sense and emotional intelligence and reasoned approach.”

Wallace denies No 10 forced him to rewrite speech

09:09 , Matt Mathers

As we’ve been reporting, Ben Wallace has been speaking to broadcasters from the Nato summit in Madrid.

He has been answering questions on the war in Ukraine and the UK’s defence budget.

He denied that Downing Street ordered him to rewrite his speech yesterday.

No 10 wanted to ensure he did pre-empt remarks the prime minister is due to make later today.

“There were some words in my speech that were taken out because the prime minister is going to say them today,” he told Times Radio.

“I think the centre just wanted to make sure that he said it before the defence secretary said it. It is perfectly legitimate. It was his words. There is nothing conspiracy in it, I’m afraid.”

Increase defence spending, senior Tory says

09:34 , Matt Mathers

A senior Tory called for the UK to increase its spending on defence to counter the threat from Vladimir Putin’s Russia as he warned that the world has a “1930s feel” to it.

Tobias Ellwood, chair of the Commons defence committee, spoke to broadcasters earlier as Ben Wallace, the defence secretary and Boris Johnson, the prime minister, attend the Nato summit in Madrid.

“There’s overstretch on all three forces [army, navy and air force]. We can’t rightly claim today it’s the 1937 era again and not act upon it,” Mr Ellwood told Sky News.

“There certainly is a 1930s feel to the world, you’ve got major powers, not just Russia but China and others rearming, weak international institutions such as the United Nations unable to hold errant nations to account.”

Earlier, Mr Wallce said that defence spending was at the correct level but that he wanted to see funding increased towards the middle of the decade.

Strugeon - Plan for lawful Indyref2 contrasts with PM’s protocol ‘law breaking’

09:57 , Matt Mathers

Nicola Sturgeon has contrasted her desire for a "lawful" second vote on Scottish independence with the prime minister "breaking the law" by reneging on the Northern Ireland protocol.

The Scottish first minister said this highlights the "difference" between herself and Boris Johnson "on the big matters of the constitution".

The comments came the day after Ms Sturgeon outlined plans to hold a second vote on Scottish independence on 19 October, 2023.

Liz Truss warns China that Taiwan invasion would be ‘strategic miscalculation’

10:15 , Matt Mathers

Foreign secretary Liz Truss has warned China that any attempt to invade Taiwan would be a “strategic miscalculation” – saying Beijing was in danger of making the same mistake as Vladimir Putin made in Ukraine.

Speaking at the Nato summit in Madrid, Ms Truss said that Western allies needed to ensure Taiwan has the means to defend itself from attack.

“I do think that with China extending its influence through economic coercion and building a capable military there is a real risk that they draw the wrong idea that results in a catastrophic miscalculation such as invading Taiwan,” she said.

“That is exactly what we saw in the case of Ukraine – a strategic miscalculation by Putin. That is why it is important that the free world work together to help ensure that Taiwan is able to defend itself.”

Truss also described China’s statements on Nato and the Falklands Islands as “very worrying”.

Labour backs calls for more defence spending

10:30 , Matt Mathers

Labour has said it supports calls for more spending on defence.

Lisa Nandy, the shadow levelling up secretary, said: "I think it's very clear that Ben Wallace and No 10 are divided on this issue.

"We've been warning the government for some time that there is a problem."

Johnson - Nato expansion shows Putin ‘completely wrong’

10:50 , Matt Mathers

Vladimir Putin's hopes of a diminished Nato have been proved "completely wrong" by Sweden and Finland joining the alliance, Boris Johnson said.

The two Nordic countries are on track to end their historic neutrality and join the defence alliance after Turkey withdrew its objections.

Vladimir Putin's hopes of a diminished Nato have been proved "completely wrong" by Sweden and Finland joining the alliance, Boris Johnson said.

The two Nordic countries are on track to end their historic neutrality and join the defence alliance after Turkey withdrew its objections.

The prime minister said: "The first lesson really from today is that if Vladimir Putin was hoping he would be getting less Nato on his western front as a result of his unprovoked, illegal invasion of Ukraine, he's been proved completely wrong - he's getting more Nato.

"This is a historic summit in many ways, but we've already got two new members coming in, Finland and Sweden, a huge step forward for our alliance.

"And what we're going to be doing now is talking about what more we can do as an alliance to support the Ukrainians but what we also need to do to make sure that we think about the lessons of the last few months and the need for Nato to revise its posture on its eastern flank."

Tory MP says women do not have ‘absolute right to bodily autonomy’

11:17 , Matt Mathers

A Conservative MP has said he does not agree women have an “absolute right to bodily autonomy” during a debate about the American abortion ban.

Danny Kruger also suggested British politicians should not “lecture” the US over the landmark ruling, which has led to mass protests.

My colleague Chiara Giordano reports:

Tory MP says women do not have ‘absolute right to bodily autonomy’

Rayner and Raab face off in battle of the deputies

11:29 , Matt Mathers

Dominic Raab and Angela Rayner are set to face off at Prime Minister‘s Questions in a battle of the deputies.

Mr Raab, the deputy PM and justice minister, fills in for Boris Johnson who is at the Nato summit in Madrid.

Ms Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, replaces leader Keir Starmer who has handed over responsibility to the Ashton-Under-Lyne MP.

International trade secretary pulls out of Commons grilling by MPs

11:35 , Matt Mathers

The International Trade Secretary pulled out of a select committee appearance on Wednesday morning to prepare for an announcement on steel tariffs, a spokesperson has said.

The spokesperson for the Department for International Trade said: "The International Trade Secretary is in the process of finalising a finely-balanced decision on the steel safeguard by June 30. This is an issue of national strategic importance and she has had to ensure she is able to review the final advice from the department before updating Parliament today.

"She informed the chair of the International Trade Committee last night, apologised for having to cancel and immediately offered an alternative two-hour slot next week. We await the response from the committee.

"We have made enhanced commitments to scrutiny and transparency at every stage of UK-Australia FTA negotiations. This includes ministers appearing in front of the ITC and giving Parliament over six months to scrutinise the legal text, in addition to the 21-day period provided by us triggering the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act process."

David Lammy apologises for condemning British Airways strike and admits he got facts wrong

11:50 , Matt Mathers

David Lammy has apologised for condemning a strike by British Airways check-in staff as unjustified – admitting he got his facts wrong.

The shadow foreign secretary sparked anger in Labour circles for his weekend criticism, the Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, saying: “Supporting bad bosses is a new low for Labour.”

Our deputy politics editor Rob Merrick reports:

David Lammy apologises for condemning British Airways strike after uproar

PMQs kicks off

12:02 , Matt Mathers

Rayner and Raab are about to go head to head at PMQs - stayed tuned for live updates.

Labour’s deputy leader says she is ready for her opposite number:

2030?

12:04 , Matt Mathers

Rayner uses her first question to go after the government on its recent byelection defeats.

She mocks comments by the PM that he will continue until the 2030s.

She asks Raab: Will the cabinet prop him up until then?

‘Focused on delivering'

12:08 , Matt Mathers

Raab reponds by saying that his side wants the PM to go on a lot longer than she wants her leader to go on for.

The deputy PM points out that the government has a working majority of 75 and is "focused on delivering for the British people".

He cites "record" employment figures which he claims wouldn’t have happened had the government listened to Labour on Covid.

Has Raab been practising too much for this session? He appears to have a hoarse throat.

‘How many more tax rises will he inflict on working families?'

12:12 , Matt Mathers

Rayner says she wants the leader of the opposition to be the prime minister.

"To be honest Mr speaker, it can't come quick enough," she says.

She adds that Britain "can't stomach" this PM for another eight years.

Rayner rounds up by moving on to tax policy.

If PM does continue until then, "how many more tax rises will he inflict on working families?"

'What about the Labour Party?’

12:16 , Matt Mathers

Raab dodges the question slightly, referencing youth unemployment figures instead.

He points out that the chancellor has vowed to cut taxes before next election and claims that recent changes to NI contributions are a tax cut.

"What about the Labour Party? Raab asks as he questions Rayner on her leader’s plan for government.

He quotes Tony Blair who said there is a "gaping hole" in Labour's policy offer to the electorate?

When is ‘enough enough?'

12:20 , Matt Mathers

Rayner says she "relishes" the next general election to see what the "voters think".

She presses Raab again on taxes, pointing out that the deputy PM had once said the UK's tax burden was harming the economy.

How high will taxes get before Raab says "enough is enough," she asks him.

‘Back to year zero'

12:22 , Matt Mathers

Raab repeats pledge to cut taxes ahead of next general election.

He claims the government has a plan for a "high wage, high skills" economy.

"With Labour, its back to year zero," he says.

'How many more?’

12:27 , Matt Mathers

Rayner uses her next question to tackle Raab on the government's record on poverty and food banks

"How many more working people will be pushed into poverty by his PM before he says 'enough is enough?'"

Raab deflects the question by going on the attack on Labour's position on the rail strikes.

He says that if the party wants to help working people it should condemn the strikes unambiguously.

‘Baying mob'

12:33 , Matt Mathers

Rayner says the government is behaving in a militant fashion by refusing to take part in negotiations.

She accused ministers of attending Tory donor banquets to "squeeze" money out of millionaires while rail workers struggle.

Amid noise from the backbenchers, Rayer says it is ironic that the "baying mob" is so rowdy given that they have gagged protesters outside - a reference to the policing bill.

‘The only thing the PM is interested in defending is his own job'

12:36 , Matt Mathers

Rayner rounds now moves onto defence spending, saying the PM will break his manifesto pledge to increase it.

Under this government, she says, Britain is set to have fewer troops, fewer planes and fewer ships.

"The only thing the PM is interested in defending is his own job," she adds.

‘Lessons'

12:39 , Matt Mathers

Responding to Rayner's questions about how many troops Britian would have to lose before Raab quits, the deputy PM says there is in fact a £24bn spending increase on the way.

He says the UK will spend 2.3 per cent of GDP on defence "making us the largest military spender in Europe".

He says the government won't take "lessons" from Labour on defence, pointing out that Rayner voted against Trident when she entered parliament in 2016.

Raab: No strong case for change on UK abortion law

13:00 , Jane Dalton

Dominic Raab has ruled out enshrining the right to abortion in law, following the US legal judgment repealing the right.

The deputy prime minister said the legality of abortion in the UK was “settled” when he was asked to support an amendment on the issue to his proposed Bill of Rights.

Labour MP Rosie Duffield said: “So far this year, 52 women have been killed in the UK. Our rights to free speech, safe spaces, fairness in sport and even the words we use to describe our own bodies are all under threat.

“Will the Deputy Prime Minister send a clear signal, as some of his Cabinet colleagues have done this week, that Britain respects the rights of women, and will he accept the cross-party amendment to his forthcoming Bill of Rights which enshrines a women’s right to choose in law?”

UK government refuses to add right to abortion to new Bill of Rights

Abortion laws in the UK: what’s allowed and what is not

13:09 , Jane Dalton

Only women in Northern Ireland have a legal right to an abortion in the UK.

But abortions may legally be carried out within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy in England, Scotland and Wales.

As the deputy prime minister rules out changing UK abortion laws, here’s a run-down of what abortion laws in the UK state:

What are the abortion laws in the UK and what support does NHS offer?

Raab attack ‘champagne socialist’ Rayner

13:13 , Jane Dalton

As Dominic Raab an Angela Rayner clashed over striking railway workers, he criticised her as a “champagne socialist” for going to the opera.

He asked where she was when the Labour frontbench were on picket lines last week, he asked.

Dominic Raab criticises ‘champagne socialist’ Angela Rayner for going to opera

It’s no wonder the PM has fled the country, claims Rayner

13:22 , Jane Dalton

Angela Rayner said it was no wonder Boris Johnson had fled the country after Labour’s victory in Wakefield, as she clashed with Dominic Raab over strikes, taxation and the prime minister’s job.

She said she would “revel in the opportunity” to have more than just by-elections , adding: “Call a general election and see where the people are.”

She added: “This is the man who once said a high level of Government taxation was hurting UK competitiveness. Now he is backing the Prime Minister who wants to put taxes up 15 times. At this rate, working people will be paying £500 billion more in tax by 2030.

“How high does he think the burden on working people should get before he says enough is enough?”

Dominic Raab replied the Government were “the ones helping working people with a tax cut of £330”, and listed a series of other measures the Government has taken to help with the rising cost of living.

He added: “We are the ones with a plan for low unemployment, a high-wage, high-skill economy, and Labour - it is back to year zero.”

Boris Johnson keen on forging ‘Roman Empire’ of wider Europe

13:32 , Jane Dalton

Boris Johnson says he is keen to forge a loose political alliance of European and north African leaders – comparing it to the Roman Empire in its pomp.

French president Emmanuel Macron raised the idea of a new “European political community” with the prime minister when the pair met at the G7 summit in Germany.

Boris Johnson keen on forging ‘Roman Empire’ of wider Europe

Boris Johnson says he won’t boycott G20 even if ‘pariah’ Putin goes

13:58 , Jane Dalton

The prime minster has ruled out a British boycott of the forthcoming G20 summit, indicating that he would go even if Russian president Vladimir Putin chose to turn up.

The prospect of an extraordinary showdown between western leaders and the Russian president was raised after the Kremlin said Mr Putin would go to November’s conference in Indonesia.

Boris Johnson says he won’t boycott G20 even if ‘pariah’ Putin goes

More than half of voters support Brexit's NI protocol

14:15 , Matt Mathers

A majority of voters in Northern Ireland support the Brexit protocol, according to a new poll.

Some 55 per cent said they viewed the new trading arrangements as appropriate for managing the impact of being outside of the EU.

Meanwhile, some 53 per cent said, overall the trading arrangements are a "good thing for Northern Ireland.

38 per cent and 37 per cent of respondents respectively are of the opposite view, according to the survey by Lucid Talk and Queens University Belfast.

16% of public still believe Brexit is going well, poll finds

14:46 , Matt Mathers

A full 16 per cent of the British public still believe Brexit is going well, a new poll has found.

A new survey by pollsters YouGov found a significant majority of people, 54 per cent, think Britain’s EU exit is going badly, with 20 per cent saying neither.

A policy correspondent Jon Stone reports:

16% of public still believe Brexit is going well, poll finds

Harriet Harman will lead probe into whether PM misled parliament on Partygate

15:02 , Matt Mathers

Labour grandee Harriet Harman has been selected to lead the Commons investigation into whether Boris Johnson lied to parliament over Partygate.

The privileges committee issued a call for witnesses to come forward with evidence of the prime minister's knowledge of rule-breaking gatherings in No 10.

Ms Harman, a former acting leader of the Labour Party, was unanimously elected to chair the committee, which will be advised by Sir Ernest Ryder, a former lord justice of appeal.

Our politics editor Andrew Woodcock will have more on this story as it comes in:

Partygate inquiry to wait until autumn to grill PM over whether he lied to Parliament

Downing Street staff told they can give evidence anonymously to PM ‘lies’ probe

15:30 , Emily Atkinson

No 10 staff have been told they will be able to submit evidence anonymously to the committee investigating whether Boris Johnson lied to the Commons over Partygate.

Subject to Privileges Committee chair Harriet Harman being able to identify the individuals in discussions with committee staff, the panel determined it would be willing to take written or oral evidence from people who wish to remain anonymous.

The MPs gave until 29 July for witnesses and evidence to come forward, saying it can be submitted to the committee website.

Nordic Nato invitations a ‘great step forward’ - PM

15:45 , Emily Atkinson

Boris Johnson has described the invitation granted to two Nordic countries to join Nato a “great step forward” for the military alliance, No 10 says.

Following a meeting with Swedish prime minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish president Sauli Niinisto at the Nato summit in Madrid, a Downing Street spokesman said: “The prime minister reiterated his staunch support for Sweden and Finland’s Nato membership aspirations.

“He described their accession as a great step forward for Nato and welcomed the progress made since his visits to Sweden and Finland last month.

“The prime minister said that the membership of two more pro-peace democracies will permanently strengthen our defensive alliance, helping to keep us all safe.

“The prime minister updated on his recent visit to Kyiv. The leaders discussed the need to oppose Russian threats and intimidation in all its guises.

“That includes by ensuring that the people of Ukraine have the tools they need to turn the tide in Putin’s futile war of aggression - they agreed that (Vladimir) Putin is offering Ukraine no other option.”

Minister attacks Khan over Met – but most forces in special measures have Tory PCCs

16:00 , Emily Atkinson

Britain’s policing minister has claimed that Sadiq Khan should “share responsibility” for the Metropolitan Police’s slide into special measures.

Kit Malthouse suggested that, as police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the force, the mayor of London should “consider his position”.

But four of the six police forces currently in special measures have Conservative PCCs.

The Indepedent’s home affairs editor Lizzie Dearden reports:

Minister attacks Khan over Met – but most forces in special measures have Tory PCCs

16:26 , Emily Atkinson

Images capture Queen Elizabeth II receiving first minister Nicola Sturgeon during an audience at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, as part of her traditional trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week.

Watch: Dominic Raab refuses to add women's right to choose on abortion to Bill of Rights

16:50 , Emily Atkinson

Putin ‘proved completely wrong’ about Nato strength - PM

16:56 , Emily Atkinson

Prime minister Boris Johnson said Vladimir Putin had been proved “completely wrong” about the strength of the Nato alliance, which is set to expand to include Sweden and Finland after they ended decades of neutrality over concerns about Russia.

Mr Johnson met the leaders of the rwo Nordic countries to congratulate them on moving a step closer to Nato membership after Turkey dropped its objections.

He said: “The first lesson really from today is that if Vladimir Putin was hoping he would be getting less Nato on his western front as a result of his unprovoked, illegal invasion of Ukraine, he’s been proved completely wrong, he’s getting more Nato.”

John Rentoul: Up against a winking Dominic Raab, Angela Rayner was the serious politician

17:16 , Emily Atkinson

If you want politics as entertainment, the Angela versus Dominic show was an improvement on the usual Prime Minister’s Questions, although the secret of good comedy is ruthless editing, and both sides could have done with a good editor, writes John Rentoul.

Opinion: Up against a winking Dominic Raab, Angela Rayner was the serious politician

UK aircraft could help secure release of Ukraine grain, says Wallace

17:28 , Emily Atkinson

British surveillance aircraft could help secure shipping routes to release grain trapped in Ukraine, the UK defence secretary has suggested.

Speaking at the Nato summit in Madrid, Ben Wallace said that Rivet Joint or P8 Poseidon aircraft could patrol areas of the Black Sea if a deal was done to allow grain ships to leave Ukraine’s blockaded ports.

Public now support rail strikes after Mick Lynch TV studio tour, poll finds

17:52 , Emily Atkinson

Public opinion has shifted dramatically in support of rail strikes by the RMT trade union, a new poll has found.

Pollsters Opinium found 45 per cent of the public now say they support the stoppages, with just 37 per cent opposed.

The shift in views by a net 12 points comes after RMT general secretary Mick Lynch took to television and radio studios last week to make his union’s case to the public.

Our policy correspondent Jon Stone has more:

Public now support rail strikes after Mick Lynch TV studio tour, poll finds

Refugee charities refuse to help Home Office with ‘immoral scare campaign’ against Channel crossings

18:25 , Emily Atkinson

Charities have rebuffed the Home Office’s attempts to use their expertise in communications campaigns aiming to deter asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel.

Several advocacy groups have refused to take part in what they labelled an “immoral scare campaign” and “sleazy PR exercise”, as the government seeks to criminalise migrants who arrive in small boats.

Under British law, people must be present in the UK to claim asylum but there is no asylum via to reach the country for that purpose and resettlement schemes are limited.

In an email seen by The Independent, the Home Office told charities it had started an “information campaign on social media in Northern France and Belgium, to reach potential irregular migrants warning them of the risks and dangers” of small boat crossings.

The Indepedent’s home affairs editor Lizzie Dearden reports:

Charities refuse to help Home Office with ‘scare campaign’ against Channel crossings

Rape not an issue to generate ‘political division'

18:43 , Emily Atkinson

The issue of rape is “not one where we want to see political division, it’s just too heinous”, a Tory committee chair has said

Simon Hoare MP, Northern Ireland Affairs Committee chairman told MPs: “I say that as a husband and a father of daughters, one just doesn’t want to be playing politics with that... what I do hope is that through the usual channels we can find a way where the very best of this House on this sensitive issue can be reflected.”

Sewage dumping ‘scandal’ means councils must be able to fine water companies, say Lib Dems

19:03 , Emily Atkinson

Local authorities should be given the power to fine the water companies dumping enormous amounts of sewage into England’s rivers and lakes, the Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has said.

In a speech to the Local Government Association today, Mr Davey accused the Conservatives of refusing “to lift a finger” and letting polluting companies off the hook while water quality has worsened and profits risen.

The call comes after the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) announced an investigation into environment secretary George Eustice, the Environment Agency and water services regulator Ofwat over their alleged failure to enforce rules on untreated sewage being pumped into rivers and seas in England.

Our environment correspondent Harry Cockburn has more:

Sewage ‘scandal’ means councils must be able to fine water companies, say Lib Dems